Sahu along with hundreds of supporters including senior leaders of the ruling party reached the Padmapur sub-collector’s office in Bargarh district in a mega rally to file the nomination papers.

After filing the nomination papers, Sahu, widow of Congress MLA Subal Sahu, exuded confidence about winning the by-election on the BJD ticket. She and her son Sumit had joined the BJD on September 23 last year.

The assembly seat had fallen vacant following the demise of MLA Subal Sahu on August 22 last year. Subal Sahu was elected three times from the seat on a Congress ticket.